2025 Event Speakers

Alan Corcoran is an award-winning broadcaster with a distinguished career in Irish media, known for his integrity, warmth, and deep commitment to public service journalism. As News Editor, Producer, and Presenter at South East Radio, Alan is the voice behind the hugely popular Morning Mix programme, a trusted platform for

Barry Doyle is the Chief Financial & Operating Officer of the Augmented Intelligence Legal Solutions Provider, Johnson Hana, part of the AI technology company, Eudia. He was previously the Investment Director at the entrepreneur-led investment company MASV, a specialist in supporting early-stage and scaling businesses.    He is the current Immediate

Brenda Power is a journalist and barrister. She currently writes for the Sunday Times and Irish Daily Mail. Previously, she was a reporter for the Irish Press Group and Sunday Tribune. She  began her career with the Munster Express. 2025 Event Speakers

Cal Thomas is one of the most popular syndicated columnists in the United States, appearing in hundreds of newspapers. He is also a veteran of TV and radio news. For 19 years he worked for the Fox News channel and before that with NBC News and KPRC-TV in Houston. He

Colm Mac Con Iomaire Almost twenty years ago Colm Mac Con Iomaire was struggling to describe his early attempts at composition and made a distinction between ‘tunes’ and ‘music’. Much of his playing life up to that point had been in the Irish traditional world of ‘tunes’ effectively the dance

Colm Tóibín was born in Enniscorthy in 1955. He is the author of 11 novels including The Master, Brooklyn, The Testament of Mary, Nora Webster, House of Names and The Magician. His work has been shortlisted for The Booker Prize three times, has won the Costa Novel Award and the

Dan O’Brien is Chief Economist of the Institute of International and European Affairs. He is also Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at University College Dublin’s Geary Institute and a Columnist with The Currency. He has previously worked for Economist Intelligence Unit, the Irish Times, the European Commission and as a consultant for the

  Dave O’Connell is Group Editor of the Connacht Tribune, a role he has held for the past 18 years. A graduate of journalism at the College of Commerce in Rathmines in 1983, he started as a reporter with the Connacht Tribune that year before moving to the then-Cork Examiner

Deirdre O’Shaughnessy is Opinion Editor and podcaster at the Irish Examiner.  In her previous role as News Editor at the title (2020-2025), she oversaw its news coverage in print and online as well as developing new podcast strands including IE Investigations (Catherine the Fake, Unforgiven, The Lost American, Death by

Dr Brian Murphy is a director of the Kennedy Summer School. He earned his doctorate in Modern Irish History from the School of History and Archives, University College Dublin. Brian’s monograph Forgotten Patriot: Douglas Hyde and the Foundation of the Irish Presidency was published in 2016 by the Collins Press. He previously

Charles Larkin, (Discip. Schol.) B.A., Ph.D. [TCD] is Director of Research at the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Bath. He was previously special advisor to the Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Health, Dr. Michael Harty, TD (Ind.) and to Senator Sean Barrett (Ind.) of the Irish

Matthew Jebb undertook his primary degree and D.Phil at Oxford University. His Ph.D. looked at the taxonomy and tuber morphology of the rubiaceous ant-plants. Following a 5 year appointment as Director of the Christensen Research Institute at Madang, Papua New Guinea, Matthew took up a 2 year post-doc position at

Stacey L. Connaughton (Ph.D., The University of Texas at Austin) is a Professor in the Brian Lamb School of Communication at Purdue University and the Director of the Purdue Policy Research Institute (PPRI) in Purdue’s Discovery Park District. Her research examines leadership and multi-stakeholder organizing, most recently in the context

Dr. Aisling McEvoy is Head of Enterprise Partnerships at Research Ireland. Research Ireland’s industry partnership programmes provide an opportunity for industry to collaborate directly with scientists and engineers within Irish research bodies at a number of levels ranging from seeding an initial engagement with an academic group, to large-scale collaborative endeavours.

Dr. Christine Rienstra Kiracofe is Professor of Higher Education and Head of the Educational Studies Department at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, US.  Her primary research interests include school funding litigation and constitutional rights of American P-22 students. She is the co-editor of the journal Education Law into Practice

Deputy CEO- Research Ireland Dr. Ciarán Seoighe is Deputy CEO of Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland, the body formed from the amalgamation of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and the Irish Research Council in August 2024. Since joining SFI in 2018, Ciarán has led the Strategy and Transformation Directorate, overseeing the

Dr. Deirdre Kilbane is the Director of Research in Walton Institute for Information and Communication Systems Science in the South East Technological University. Walton Institute focuses on investigating futuristic next-generation technologies, combining cutting edge ICT research and innovation to provide real world commercial applications for the benefit of society. Deirdre

Eamonn Hore studied Civil Engineering at University College Dublin graduating with a B.E. in 1979. He then studied Computers for Engineers at Trinity College Dublin and was awarded his Diploma in 1982. In 2008, he completed the Senior Executives in State and Local Government at Harvard University in the USA.

Dubliner Eileen Dunne has been involved with the Kennedy Summer School for a number of years now. A recent retiree, she spent 42 years working in RTE, most of it in the Newsroom, where she worked as a Newscaster, covering most of the biggest stories of the last four decades.

Emma Howard is an Economist and Lecturer at the Technological University Dublin. She is Chair of the Irish Society for Women in Economics, a member of the External Advisory Group for the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service, co-Chair of the Irish Economic Association Behavioural Economics Network, a committee member

Gerry Arthurs is an academic and commentator with over 30 years of experience as Lecturer in International Relations and Politics. Currently at the South East Technological University, Waterford, he was previously in the Department of Law and Government at Dublin City University and visiting lecturer at NUI Maynooth and the

Senior Political Strategist | Business Leader | Latino Coalition Builder Gilberto Ocañas is a nationally recognized political strategist, business leader, and trusted advisor with more than 40 years of experience at the intersection of politics, business, and public affairs. A native Texan, Gilberto has built a powerful network of corporate

After a twenty-three year career in the U.S. Marine Corps and retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel, Greg Ballard returned home to Indianapolis in 2001. In 2007, he ran a successful campaign to become the 48th Mayor of Indianapolis, subsequently serving two terms. While Mayor, he became a Trustee for the

Linda Dorcena Forry, a former Massachusetts State Senator and State Representative, is a trailblazer and widely respected leader in business, government and philanthropy. Forry’s career spans two decades in the public sector, including serving 13 years in elected office. A native Bostonian and first-generation American of Haitian descent, Linda made history by

Jackie Fox is a journalist with RTÉ, Ireland’s national broadcaster. She reports regularly for RTÉ’s main evening television news bulletins and occasionally presents on RTÉ Radio 1. She covered the 2024 U.S. presidential election for RTÉ News in Washington DC and co-hosted States of Mind, RTÉ’s dedicated podcast on the campaign.

Nothing says Ireland like the GAA – the Gaelic Athletic Association. Founded in 1884, it’s stated purpose is to promote Gaelic games, culture and lifelong participation as a community based, volunteer-led organisation. And no-one embodies that purpose more than the current President or Uachtarán, Armagh man Jarlath Burns. A former

Jessica began her career in journalism in the newsroom at one of the country’s most successful regional radio stations, Beat 102 103, while completing her final year in Technological University Dublin as an undergraduate of Journalism and Irish. In combining her growing love for radio and passion for Gaeilge, she

Jim Acosta is an award-winning broadcast journalist, with 25 years of experience in network television news, both at CNN and CBS News. Perhaps best-known for his time as the Chief White House Correspondent for CNN, Acosta has covered six straight presidential elections at the network level. He also served as an anchor and reporter

Jim Power has worked as an economist in the private sector for over 38 years. He is owner-manager of Jim Power Economics, an economic and financial consultancy, which he set up in 2009.   He is a graduate of University College Dublin (UCD) with a BA in Economics & Politics,

Larry Donnelly is a Boston born and educated attorney who holds both American and Irish passports.  Larry relocated to his ancestral Ireland to take up a visiting fellowship in the School of Law at NUI Galway in 2001.  He is now a Lecturer and Director of Clinical Legal Education in

Purdue University Associate Professor, Dr. Lisa Lambert Snodgrass’s research centers on examining policy, systems & structural approaches, and culturally responsive community engagement related to equity of access in the post-secondary institution, both domestically and internationally. This research has expanded to explore the role of higher education systems in addressing equity

Dr. Lorcan Sirr is a senior academic with over 20 years’ teaching and research experience. His areas of expertise include housing, planning and development, research methods and policy evaluation. Lorcan has also been Visiting Professor of Housing in the Faculty of Law in the Universitat Rovira I Virgilii, Tarragona, Spain and at

Marion McKeone is multi-award winning journalist and broadcaster who has written about US politics, culture and foreign policy for almost two decades.    She has worked as a US Correspondent for the Sunday Business Post and the Sunday Tribune and has written for the Irish Times, the Irish Examiner and

Cathaoirleach of Seanad Eireann 26th Chair of the Senate of Ireland Cathaoirleach Daly was first elected to the 23rd Seanad in 2007. In 2020, he was elected Chair of the Seanad Éireann (Senate of Ireland), and in 2025, he was re-elected unopposed as the 26th Cathaoirleach (Chair). He was the

Mark Redmond is CEO and founder of Redmond Coaching for Impact (RCFI), which provides executive coaching and strategic advisory services across Ireland and internationally. Mark previously served as CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland and the Irish Tax Institute. He also served as Director with PwC. From Enniscorthy,

Martina Mastandrea received her Ph.D. from the School of Advanced Study, University of London, in 2018. She is an independent scholar and English teacher at Liceo Ugo Morin in Venice, Italy. She has published reviews, articles, and chapters on F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and Louisa May Alcott. She is the

James Lawless is the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. He was appointed to this role on 23 January 2025. Before this, he served as Minister of State at the Department of Transport with special responsibility for International and Road Transport and Logistics; and the Department

Patrick Prendergast is Chairperson of the Governing Body of South East Technological University and a Research Professor in Trinity College Dublin where he served as President/Provost from 2011 to 2021. He is also Chair of the Board of the Douglas Hyde Gallery of Contemporary Art and a member of the

Bríona Nic Dhiarmada is the Thomas J. & Kathleen M. O’Donnell Professor of Irish Studies Emeritus and Concurrent Professor of Film, Television, and Theatre at the University of Notre Dame. A writer, academic and filmmaker, Nic Dhiarmada was educated in Trinity College, Dublin and UCD and is a native of Wexford. She

Professor Jane Ohlmeyer, MRIA, FBA, FTCD, FRHistS, is Erasmus Smith’s Professor of Modern History (1762) at Trinity College Dublin. She was a driving force behind the 1641 Depositions Project and the development of the Trinity Long Room Hub Arts and Humanities Research Institute. She chaired the Irish Research Council (2015-21). In 2023

Kirk Curnutt joined the faculty of Troy University’s Montgomery campus in 1993 and was for the first stretch of his career the youngest tenured professor in the system. His research interests have focused on F. Scott Fitzgerald. For many years he served on the board of the Scott and Zelda

Philip McGowan is Professor of American Literature at Queen’s University Belfast and Former President of the European Association for American Studies (2016-24). An Executive Board member of the F. Scott Fitzgerald Society since 2005, he edited the centenary edition of This Side of Paradise (2020) for Oxford University Press. 2025 Event Speakers

President, South East Technological University (SETU) Prof Veronica Campbell is a Pharmacology graduate of the University of Edinburgh and was awarded her PhD from the University of London. In 1998 she moved to Ireland and joined the School of Medicine at Trinity College Dublin. She has held several senior leadership

Sarah Churchwell is Professor in American Literature and Chair of Public Understanding of the Humanities at the School of Advanced Study, University of London, where she directs the UK’s national festival of the humanities, the Being Human Festival.  She is the author of Behold, America: A History of America First and the American

Sean Connick is the current Chief Executive Officer of the John F Kennedy Trust, where he leads the daily operation of one of Irelands premier tourist attractions the Dunbrody Famine Ship Experience along with the Kennedy Homestead at Dunganstown.  As recent as 2022, Sean was the Charmain of The Association

Born in Portlaoise, Seán O’Rourke is one of Ireland’s best known journalists in print and broadcasting. Educated at Coláiste Iognáid and the University of Galway, he was a reporter with the Connacht Tribune and political correspondent of Irish Press Group before joining RTÉ, where he worked for over 30 years

Professionally trained singer and actress Sharon Clancy will thrill guests at the afternoon tea party with popular jazz songs and hits from musicals. Hailing from Wexford, Sharon has starred in many West-end musicals, she also has numerous theatrical and TV credits to her name. Most recently Sharon has been delighting

Shona Murray is Europe correspondent for Euronews based in Brussels. She reports on the war in Ukraine, the Middle East, Brexit, the European Institutions and Nato. In recent months she’s reported from Greenland, Ukraine, Finland, Sweden and the US. Prior to joining Euronews, Shona worked as a freelance journalist for several

A native of Midleton, Co. Cork, Sinéad studied law at University College Cork and qualified as a barrister in 1993. She began her working life as a parliamentary transcriber in the Dail debates unit of the Houses of the Oireachtas and, between 1996 and 2002, held a range of political

Tanya Gordiienko is a Ukrainian media analyst at the Media Development Foundation and academic director at educational initiative Kyiv Media School. She is a PhD candidate at the National University of Kyiv‑Mohyla Academy’s School of Journalism and spent two years as visiting scholar at Brian Lamb School of Communication, Purdue

Tony Connelly is Europe Editor for RTÉ, Ireland’s public broadcaster.  Tony has reported extensively on Brexit, and has been covering EU and European affairs since 2001. Tony has also reported recently from Ukraine on the Russian invasion, and has also reported on conflicts in Africa, the Caucuses, the Balkans and

William P. (Bill) Forry is the co-publisher and executive editor of the award-winning Reporter Newspapers, a family-owned and operated community newspaper group that includes the weekly Dorchester Reporter, as well as the publications Boston Irish and the Boston Haitian Reporter. The publications — and their companion websites and associated platforms— are all part of